Habitat and biology

Found on sandy and muddy grounds. Depth range from the surface to 350 m, usually between 20 and 200 m. Like other neritic squids, it performs seasonal migrations between offshore and inshore areas. In the Mediterranean, spawning extends throughout the year, but two groups of spawners can usually be distinguished by size and time of peak spawning, even though mixing occurs. Large individuals are encountered in February at depths between 150 and 200 m; from March to April, they start migrating into shallower waters, where spawning takes place on sandy grounds and to a minor extent, in Posidonia grass beds. The second group, composed of smaller individuals, migrates onshore in June and July and spawn later in the year. By late fall, depending on environmental temperatures, they start returning to deeper waters.

Large males may carry up to 170 spermatophores, large females 8 to 30 eggs. The eggs are shed in several batches and are encapsuled in rather short gelatinous capsules (each containing up to 1400 eggs) that are attached to hard objects on the substrate (shells, corals, stones) in batches of up to 12 capsules.

This squid feeds on crustaceans, molluscs and small fishes. Longevity is about 1 year in males, 1 1/2 years in females.

Geographical distribution

Eastern Atlantic: Irish Sea, English Channel (very rare in North Sea) South into Mediterranean Sea.

Remarks

Recent genetic analyses indicate that A. media and A. subulata may represent extremes of a morphological gradient in a single species.

Page: Tree of Life
Alloteuthis media(Linnaeus 1758). Midsize squid.
Authored by
Michael Vecchione and Richard E. Young.
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